Collapsible canister liner for medical fluid collection

ABSTRACT

A collapsible liner for use in a canister of a medical fluid collection system is disclosed. The liner includes a flexible bag extending longitudinally between a top portion opposite a closed bottom portion, and at least one support element connected to the bag and disposed generally laterally relative to a length of the bag. When an interior of the bag is subjected to a vacuum, the at least one support element limits an extent of lateral collapse while permitting longitudinal collapse.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to canister liners for use in medicalfluid collection systems. More particularly, it relates to devices,systems, and methods for controlling longitudinal and lateral collapseof a liner bag within a canister during evacuation of medical fluidsfrom the liner bag.

Hospitals and clinics routinely collect a significant volume of medicalwaste fluids. The medical waste fluids are collected from a variety ofsites, including patient operative and post-operative sites, and variousother locations within the hospitals and clinics. After the medicalwaste fluid is collected, there is a desire to dispose of the waste in amanner that protects healthcare workers and others from contact with thewaste fluids, complies with hospital and other guidelines, and is costeffective.

Hospitals and clinics dispose of collected medical waste fluids in avariety of ways. For example, some medical waste is suited for disposaldown a drain connected to a city sewer system. Some liquid medical wasteis first solidified and then disposed of in a solid waste stream. Forexample, the addition of super absorbent polymers (as commonly used ininfant diapers to solidify liquid waste) to medical waste liquids formsa solid gel that is more convenient to handle when disposing of thewaste.

Other medical waste is collected in a rigid container and hauled awayfrom the hospital or clinic by a contractor, usually for disposal in alandfill. Yet another method of disposing of collected medical wasteincludes safely pumping the collected medical waste from a canistersystem down a drain or other reservoir suitable for subsequent treatmentand/or disposal. For example, one such suitable canister system is aMedi-Vacg Flex Advantage® suction canister available from CardinalHealth, Dublin, Ohio. This canister system includes a liner bag inside arigid canister. Medical waste is collected in the liner bag andsubsequently disposed of by having a worker insert a dip tube into theliner bag and safely pump the medical waste through the dip tube and outthe liner bag. In this regard, the insertion of the dip tube into andout of the liner bag can be inconvenient to the worker. In addition,even after the medical waste is evacuated from the liner bag, theseconventional liner bags can still be undesirably large and bulky. Somefacilities require the worker to manually collapse the emptied liner bagbefore discarding it, which is time consuming and may be somewhatunpleasant for the worker.

All of the above-noted methods for collecting and disposing of medicalwaste require the eventual disposal of some sort of bulk material,whether in the form of a solidified gel or a used container or liner.Generally, the greater the amount of bulk material that is disposed of,the greater the ultimate economic cost for disposal, and this cost isborne by the hospital or clinic. In addition, the disposal ofunnecessarily bulky material (i.e., material that occupies more landfillspace) is environmentally undesirable. With this in mind, improvementsin devices and systems that collect and enable the safe disposal ofmedical waste fluids will be enthusiastically welcomed by hospitals andclinics.

SUMMARY

Benefits achieved in accordance with principles of the disclosedinvention include a collapsible liner that collapses along itslongitudinal axis to minimize a volume of the collapsed liner, whichminimizes a volume of material that is ultimately disposed of by an enduser. This compact, reduced volume liner contributes to ease of handlingby users (e.g., hospital staff) and also to reduced disposal volume.Other benefits include a collapsible liner that can be evacuated withoutusing a dip tube. Still other benefits include a simultaneous andcontrolled longitudinal and lateral collapse of the collapsible linerduring evacuation that prevents the potential undesired trapping ofwaste fluids in un-collapsed pockets of the liner.

Some aspects of the present invention relate to a collapsible liner foruse in a canister of a medical fluid collection system. The linerincludes a flexible bag extending longitudinally between a top portionopposite a closed bottom portion, and at least one support elementconnected to the bag and disposed generally laterally relative to alength of the bag. In this regard, when an interior of the bag issubjected to a vacuum, the support element(s) limits an extent oflateral collapse of the bag while permitting a longitudinal collapse.

Other aspects of the present invention relate to a liner assembly foruse with a medical fluid collection canister. The liner assemblyincludes a lid that is removably attachable to the canister and a linercoupled to the lid. The liner includes a flexible film bag extendinglongitudinally between a top portion and a closed bottom portion, and atleast one support element apart from the lid and connected to a segmentof the bag. In this regard, when an interior of the bag is subjected toa vacuum, the bag longitudinally collapses and the segment(s) of the bagcoupled to the support element(s) do not laterally collapse.

Still other aspects of the present invention relate to a medical fluidcollection system. The system includes a canister defining an open endand a liner assembly. The liner assembly includes a lid removablyattachable to the open end of the canister, and a collapsible linerdimensioned for placement within the canister. In this regard, the linerincludes a flexible film bag extending longitudinally between a topportion coupled to the lid and a closed bottom portion, and at least onesupport element disposed generally laterally relative to the flexiblebag. When an interior of the bag is subjected to a vacuum, the supportelement constrains a lateral collapse of the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and are apart of this specification. Other embodiments of the present invention,and many of the intended advantages of the present invention, will bereadily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description. The elements of the drawings are notnecessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numeralsdesignate corresponding similar parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective exploded view of components of amedical fluid collection system in accordance with principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lid component of a liner assembly ofthe system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a collapsible liner component of a linerassembly of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the collapsible liner of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates components of another medical fluid collection systemin accordance with principles of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a collapsible liner component of thesystem of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the collapsible liner of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8A is a side view of a medical fluid collection system operativelycoupled to a medical waste disposal system in accordance with principlesof the present invention; and

FIG. 8B illustrates a disposable liner assembly in a collapsed stateaccording to principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective exploded view of components of amedical fluid collection system 20 according to principles of thepresent invention. The system 20 includes a canister 22 and a linerassembly 24 removably coupleable to the canister 22. The liner assembly24 includes a lid 26 and a collapsible liner 28 coupled to the lid 26.Details of the various components of the system 20 are provided below.In general terms, however, the lid 26 of the liner assembly 24 is sizedto be attached and sealed to an open end 30 defined by the canister 22,and the collapsible liner 28 is sized to be disposed within the canister22. The collapsible liner 28 is a repository for the collection ofmedical waste fluids, and is configured to uniformly and compactlycollapse to expel the contained medical waste fluids (not shown) duringa disposal process.

The canister 22 is generally a durable, impact resistant moldedcontainer. In some embodiments, the canister 22 is reusable and suitedfor repeated use with single use, disposable liner assemblies 24. Thecanister 22 illustrated is a cylindrical canister, although other shapesand sizes of canister 22 are also acceptable. In one embodiment, thecanister 22 is sized to receive the collapsible liner 28 otherwisehaving a collection volume that ranges between about 1 liter to 20liters. The canister 22 can be molded from high impact plastic, and insome embodiments includes a graduated scale 32 useful in measuring acollected volume of medical waste. Suitable rigid canisters 22 includecanisters provided as a component of a Medi-Vac® Suction CanisterSystem, available from Cardinal Heath of Dublin, Ohio.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the lid 26.The lid 26 includes a rim 40 extending between an upper surface 42 and alower surface 44, and a flange 46 that extends from the lower surface44. The flange 46 can be sized to receive an open end of the collapsibleliner 28 (FIG. 1). Alternatively, other configurations that promoteassembly of the collapsible liner 28 are also acceptable; for example,the liner 28 can be assembled (e.g., bonded) to an underside of the lid28 or at some other surface that may or may not be cylindrical.

In general, the lid 26 is provided as one component of the linerassembly 24 (FIG. 1), and can include one or more ports useful in thecollection and subsequent discharge of medical fluids. For example, insome embodiments the lid 26 includes a first vacuum source port 50, adischarge port 54, and a collection port 56. Although three ports areillustrated, it is to be understood that fewer than three ports, or morethan three ports, are also acceptable configurations for the lid 26.

The first vacuum source port 50 is sized for coupling to a vacuum line(not shown) and facilitate partial evacuation of the collapsible liner28 for the purpose of collecting medical waste fluid within the liner28. More particularly, upon assembly of the lid 22/liner 28, the firstvacuum source port 50 is fluidly connected with an interior of the liner28, such that application of a vacuum to the port 50 renders the linerinterior below atmospheric pressure. Conversely, waste fluid to becollected (e.g., via the patient tubing port 56 as described below) isat atmospheric pressure. Thus, the below atmospheric pressure conditioncauses the medical waste fluid to flow into the liner 28. With this inmind, in some embodiments, the first vacuum source port 50 can includean internal vacuum shutoff valve (not shown) configured to interrupt thevacuum source when the liner 28 is nearly filled with medical wastefluid and thereby prevent the passage of medical waste fluid through thefirst vacuum source port 50 and into the vacuum line. In furtherembodiments, the first vacuum source port 50 is configured to receiveand maintain a shutoff device (no shown), such as a cap or valve, foruse when fluid within the liner 28 is disposed of as described below.

With additional reference to FIG. 1, fluid collection via application ofa vacuum at the first vacuum source port 50 as described above can befurther enhanced, in some embodiments, by a second vacuum source port52. The second vacuum source port 52 is sized for coupling to a vacuumline (not shown) and facilitates partial evacuation of a space betweenthe collapsible liner 28 and the canister 22. More particularly, avacuum is applied, via the second vacuum source port 52, to the spacebetween the collapsible liner 28 and the canister 22 commensurate withthe vacuum applied to the liner 28 interior (via the first vacuum sourceport 50 as described above). With this approach, then, the collapsibleliner 28 will not collapse as medical waste fluid is drawn into, andcollected within, the liner 28. In some embodiments, the second vacuumsource port 52 includes a three-way valve (not shown) that fluidlyconnects the space between the liner 28 and the canister 22 with avacuum source in one position and atmospheric air in a second position,although other configurations are also acceptable. While the secondvacuum source port 52 is shown as being formed as part of the canister22, in other embodiments, the second vacuum source port 52 can beprovided with the lid 26. Even further, the system 20 can be configuredin other embodiments to facilitate medical waste fluid collection withinthe liner 28 in a manner that does not require one or both of the vacuumsource ports 50 and/or 52.

The discharge port 54 is sized to receive a vacuum line (not shown) forevacuating medical waste fluid from the collapsible liner 28 (FIG. 1)during a waste disposal procedure, described in FIGS. 8A and 8B below.In this regard, the discharge port 54 is closed during collection ofmedical waste fluid into the liner 28, and thus can include a closuredevice (not shown) such as a valve, cap, etc.

The collection port 56 is configured for connection to collection tubing(not shown). The collection tubing removes or otherwise aspirates awayfrom a collection site (e.g., a patient) waste liquids or other medicalfluids through the collection port 56 via the below atmospheric pressurecreated within the liner 28 as described above. In some embodiments, thecollection port 56 is provided with a one-way valve (not shown)integrally formed within the port 56. The one-way valve prevents backflow of medical fluids from the system 20 back to the collection site.Alternatively, other configurations that may or may not include a valveare also acceptable. Regardless, upon final assembly, the collectionport 56 is in fluid communication with the collapsible liner 28 anddefines an entrance into the collapsible liner 28 for medical wastefluids.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the collapsible liner 28separate from the lid 26 (FIG. 2). The collapsible liner 28 includes abag 58 and one or more support elements 60 disposed generally laterallyrelative to the bag 58. In the illustrated embodiment, the liner 28includes four exemplary support elements 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, 60 d,although it is to be understood that the number of support elements 60can vary depending upon the design goals for the liner 28.

In one embodiment, the bag 58 extends longitudinally between a topportion 62 that is opposite a closed bottom portion 64 to define aninterior within which medical waste fluid (not shown) is contained. Ingeneral, the bag 58 is formed separately and attached to a lid, such asthe lid 26 (FIG. 2). In this regard, the top portion 62 is coupled tothe lid 26. The bag 58 is formed by suitable film forming processesincluding, for example, blown film processes, film extrusion processesin general, or other suitable thin plastic bag forming processes.

The bottom portion 64 is generally sealed, or otherwise closed off, toprevent the passage of fluids through the bottom portion 64 of the bag58. In one embodiment, multiple bags 58 are continuously formed on ablown film extrusion line and the bottom portion 64 of a first bag 58 isheat sealed shut across its width as the top portion 62 of a second bag58 is simultaneously cut and opened across its width. Other suitableprocesses for forming the bag 58 and sealing the bottom portion 64 arealso acceptable.

Generally, the bag 58 is formed of a thin, flexible material. Forexample, in some embodiments, the bag 58 material exhibits sufficientflexibility to longitudinally and laterally collapse in the presence of0.1-1 atmosphere (ATM) vacuum (as typically employed during a disposaloperation). Suitable materials for the bag 58 include polyolefins ingeneral, and polyethylene, low density polyethylene, linear low densitypolyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, and co-polymersand block co-polymers of polyolefins in particular. One suitablematerial for the bag 58 includes radio frequency (RF) weldable polymers,such as ethylene methyl acrylate, for example, which is a co-polymer ofpolyethylene. Other RF weldable polymers are also acceptable.

The support elements 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, and 60 d are provided to limit orconstrain lateral collapse of the liner 28, and in particular the bag58, when a vacuum is placed upon the bag interior. That is to say, theliner 28 collapses both laterally and longitudinally, but the lateralcollapse is controlled to permit an essentially complete longitudinalcollapse of the bag 58 from the bottom portion 64 up to the top portion62 during evacuation of medical waste fluids (it being understood thatthe bag 58 will not, in some embodiments, experience a completelongitudinal collapse due to a height of the support element(s) 60). Tothis end, the support elements 60 are not flexible relative to aflexibility of the flexible bag 58, such that the support elements 60are resistant to lateral (e.g.,, radial) collapse as the bag 58 isevacuated/collapsed. For example, a transverse rigidity of the supportelements 60 (e.g., resistance to deflection or collapse in response to atransversely-applied compressive force) is at least five times greater;alternatively at least ten times greater; alternatively at least fiftytimes greater, than that of the bag 58. With this in mind, although foursupport elements 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, 60 d are illustrated, it is to beunderstood that one or more support elements can be generally laterallydisposed relative to the bag 58 to control the lateral collapse of thebag 58, depending upon a ratio of height-to-width of the bag 58. In someembodiments, the support element(s) 60 is/are sealed to the bag 58. Inother embodiments, the support element(s) 60 is/are integrally formedwith the bag 58 during fabrication of the liner 28.

The support elements 60 are, in general, disposed generally laterallybetween the top portion 62 and the bottom portion 64 of the bag 58. Forexample, relative to the longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 4,the flexible film bag 58 can be described as defining opposing faces 68,70 that are separated by a lateral bag width W. Each of the supportelements 60 are connected to the bag 58 so as to extend or be orientedgenerally laterally relative to a longitudinal length or axis of the bag58 (e.g., each support element 60 is oriented or extends in a plane thatis within 15° of a true perpendicular relationship with the longitudinallength or axis of the bag 58; in other embodiments, within 10°; and inother embodiments within 5°). Further, the support elements 60 arediscretely distributed or positioned longitudinally between the topportion 62 and the closed bottom portion 64. In this regard, alongitudinal spacing L between adjacent ones of the support elements 60is, in some embodiments, substantially uniform (±10%).

In some embodiments, the bag 58 is substantially circular in lateralcross-section such that the lateral bag width W is equal to a diameterof the bag 58. In other embodiments, the bag 58 is non-circular inlateral cross-section. In any regard, the spacing distance L between atleast one pair of two adjacent support elements 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, 60 d(and in some embodiments between all adjacent pairs) is not greater thana minimum value of the lateral bag width W.

With this in mind, to minimize the size and cost of the lid to which theliner 28 is assembled (e.g., the lid 26 of FIG. 2) and particularly withcertain high capacity liners 28 that contain up to, for example, 20liters of liquid, a total length of the bag 58 can be substantiallylarger than the width W, and multiple support elements 60 are connectedto the bag 58 and spaced the spacing distance L apart. Conversely, withliners 28 having a total length less than approximately two times thewidth W (e.g., typical for low volume liners 28), one support element 60located between the top portion 62 and the closed bottom portion 64 ofthe bag 58 can be sufficient to limit or constrain the lateral collapseof the bag 58 (when subjected to a vacuum) to an amount or extentsufficient to prevent the bag 58 from laterally collapsing onto itself.

The support elements 60 are, in some embodiments, rigid annular plasticbands or rings that are suited for coupling to the bag 58. Generally,the support elements 60 resist radial/lateral deformation for lateralforces that correspond to about 1 ATM of vacuum within the liner 28.Suitable materials for forming the support elements 60 includepolyolefins in general, such as high density polyethylene, andpolyolefins that have a radiofrequency (RF) weldable component. In oneembodiment, the support elements 60 are formed of a co-polymer ofpolyethylene, such as ethylene methyl acrylate, and are radiofrequencywelded to the bag 58. Other suitable materials for forming the supportelements 60 are also acceptable.

In various embodiments, the bag 58 is formed of a flexible film and therelatively rigid support elements 60 are RF welded or assembled orotherwise attached to the bag 58. In alternate embodiments, the liner 28(including the bag 58 and the support elements 60) is integrally formed,for example by a molding process, such that the bag 58 is flexible incomparison to the more rigid support elements 60. For example, the bag58 and the support elements 60 can be formed of similar materials wherea caliper thickness of a wall of the bag 58 between the support elements60 is relatively thin in comparison to a greater caliper thickness ofthe laterally spaced support elements 60. The integrally formed liner 28can be fabricated in a batch molding process, for example, or preferablyin a continuous blow molding process that includes forming the supportelements 60 as lateral variations in film thickness.

In some embodiments, the support elements 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, 60 d arecoupled to a respective segment S1, S2, S3, S4 of an interior surface 72of the flexible film bag 58, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In alternativeembodiments, the support elements 60 are coupled to an exterior surfaceof the flexible film bag 58.

In general, the support elements 60 have a similar configuration. Inthis regard, since the support elements 60 a-60 d are highly similar, afull understanding of the conformation of the support elements 60 ispossible through a description of one isolated support element, such assupport element 60 c. The support element 60 c is coupled along thesegment S3 to the interior surface 72 of the bag 58 and defines a heightH and a thickness R. In some embodiments, the height H is less than thethickness R. The support element 60 c is thinner, then, in height H thanit is in thickness R. The relatively thinner height dimension H allowsfor compact collapse of the liner 28, and the generally thickerthickness R provides lateral stiffness and a resistance to lateralcollapse of the support element 60 c.

Regardless of the specific number, the support elements 60 a, 60 b, 60c, 60 d when spaced as described above limit the lateral collapse of thebag 58 such that the bag 58 will not laterally collapse onto itself(e.g., the extent or amount of lateral collapse permitted by the supportelements 60 a-60 d is equal to or less than width or diameter W of thebag 58). In particular, when the liner 28 is evacuated, the bag 58collapses longitudinally and laterally, with the opposing faces 68, 70collapsing inwardly toward one another in regions of the bag 58 apartfrom the support elements 60 a-60 d. It is desired to prevent theopposing faces 68, 70 from touching, as this could potentially occludethe flow of liquid along the longitudinal direction of the liner 28 andform pools of retained medical waste inside the liner 28. The supportelements 60 are resistant to lateral collapse, and the segments S1-S4 ofthe bag 58 that are coupled to the support elements 60 a-60 d,respectively, are likewise restrained from laterally collapsing, suchthat the faces 68, 70 are restrained from contacting one another as thebag 58 collapses longitudinally.

In this manner, uncontrolled lateral collapse of the bag 58 is inhibitedby the support elements 60 that prevent/restrain the opposing faces 68,70 from touching one another. Thus, the support elements 60 are drawnlongitudinally toward one another as the bag 58 collapses laterally andlongitudinally, and the support elements 60 simultaneously impede theopposing faces 68, 70 of the bag 58 from touching. In other words, theliner 28 can be maximally collapsed longitudinally, with the supportelements 60 ensuring that the bag 58 will not laterally collapse ontoitself.

In some embodiments, a location of the support elements 60 relative to alength of the bag 58 correlates with a standardized volume, thusproviding a user with the ability to quickly estimate the volume ofliquid contained in the bag 58. For example, and with reference to theone embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the fourth support element 60 d can belocated relative to a length of the bag 58 to be indicative of 1 literof contained liquid; the third support element 60 c indicative of 2liters of contained liquid; etc. In other words, when the level of thecontained liquid (with the liner 28 in the upright orientation of FIGS.3 and 4) is approximately at or even with the fourth support element 60d, the user can visually ascertain or estimate that approximately 1liter of liquid is contained in the liner 28; when the contained liquidlevel is approximately at or even with the third support element, theuser can visually ascertain or estimate that approximately 2 liters ofliquid is contained in the liner 28; etc. A wide variety of othervolumetric values can be implicated by the support elements 60 (e.g.,0.5 liter, 1.0 liter, 1.5 liter, etc.; 0.25 gallon, 0.5 gallon; etc.).Along these same lines, the support elements 60 can be configured toprovide a visual indication of the contained liquid volume representedby the corresponding support element 60 location. For example, thesupport elements 60 can be color coded to enhance a user's ability tovisually distinguish the support elements 60 from one another, and thusthe contained liquid volume represented by each support element 60(e.g., each of the support elements 60 a-60 d can be of a differentcolor, such as the fourth support element 60 d, the third supportelement 60 c being blue, etc.). Similarly, the support elements 60 canhave written indicia (not shown) representative of the contained liquidvolume associated therewith (e.g., the fourth support element 60 d caninclude the written indicia “1 liter”; the third support element 60 ccan include the written indicia “2 liters”; etc.).

FIG. 5 illustrates components of another medical fluid collection system100 according to principles of the present invention. The system 100includes a canister 102 and a liner assembly 104 removably coupleable tothe canister 102. The liner assembly 104 includes a lid 106 and acollapsible liner 108 coupled to the lid 106. In general, the lid 106 issized to be attached and sealed to the canister 102, and the collapsibleliner 108 is sized to be disposed within the canister 102. Thecollapsible liner 108 is a repository for the collection of medicalwaste fluids, and is configured to uniformly and completely collapse todischarge the medical waste fluids during a disposal process.

The canister 102 is generally a durable, impact resistant container thatincludes an open end 110, a base 112, and a wall 114 tapering betweenthe open end 110 and the base 112. As illustrated, the open end 110defines a generally circular cross-section, although it is to beunderstood that other shapes and sizes for the canister 102 are alsoacceptable. Generally, the canister 102 is reusable and suited forrepeated use with single use, disposable liner assemblies 104. In oneembodiment, the canister 102 is molded from high impact plastic, andincludes a graduated scale 116 useful in measuring a collected volume ofmedical waste. Suitable rigid canisters 102 include canisters providedas a component of a Medi-Vac® Suction Canister System, available fromCardinal Heath of Dublin, Ohio.

The lid 106 is substantially similar to the lid 26 illustrated in FIG.2. In this regard, the lid 106 can include one or more ports (e.g.,ports 150-154). The canister 102 can similarly include a port 156 akinto the port 52 (FIG. 1) previously described).

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view and FIG. 7 illustrates across-sectional view of the collapsible liner 108 separate from the lid106 in accordance with principles of the present invention. Thecollapsible liner 108 includes a bag 158 and one or more supportelements 160 disposed substantially laterally relative to the bag 158.In this regard, the liner 108 is substantially similar in configurationto the liner 28 (FIG. 3), and various embodiments provide for thesupport elements 160 to be separately formed and attached to the bag158, or alternatively, some embodiments provide for the bag 158 and thesupport elements 160 to be integrally formed.

In general, the bag 158 defines a top portion 162 opposite a closedbottom portion 164, and in one embodiment the bag 158 is tapered toextend longitudinally between the top portion 162 and the bottom portion164 to define an interior within which medical waste fluid (not shown)can be contained. The top portion 162 is not sealed shut and isconfigured for attachment to, the lid 106 (FIG. 5) as previouslydescribed. The bottom portion 164 is generally sealed, or otherwiseclosed off, and prevents the passage of fluids through the bottomportion 164 of the bag 158.

The bag 158 is flexible, and comparatively, the support elements 160 arenot. For example, in one embodiment the bag 158 is flexible enough toenable pressure in the range of about 0.1 to 1 ATM vacuum to collapsethe bag 158, as described above with respect to the bag 58 (FIG. 3). Inthis regard, suitable materials for the bag 158 include polyolefins thatare RF weldable to the support elements 160, such as ethylene methylacrylate, although other polymers are also acceptable.

The support elements 160 (exemplary first-third support elements 166 a,166 b, 166 c are illustrated in FIG. 6) are provided to limit lateralcollapse in a manner that is substantially similar to the supportelements 60 described above. That is to say, support elements 160 allowthe bag 158 to collapse both laterally and longitudinally in thepresence of a vacuum at the bag's interior, but the lateral collapse iscontrolled to facilitate a maximum longitudinal collapse of the bag 158from the bottom portion 164 up to the top portion 162 during evacuationof medical waste fluids. With this in mind, although three supportelements 160 a, 160 b, 160 c are illustrated, it is to be understoodthat one or more support elements 160 can be generally laterallydisposed relative to the bag 158 to control lateral collapse of theliner 108.

The support elements 160 are, in general, disposed generally laterallybetween the top portion 162 and the bottom portion 164 of the bag 158.For example and with reference to FIG. 7, the bag 158 defines, inlongitudinal cross-section, opposing faces 168, 170 that are separatedby a lateral bag width. Since the bag 158 is tapered, the opposing faces168, 170 taper between a generally wider dimension (e.g., diameter) ator adjacent the top portion 162 to a generally narrower dimension (e.g.,diameter) at or adjacent the bottom portion 164. In this regard, thetapered bag 158 defines a first lateral bag width (e.g., diameter) WTextending between the opposing faces 168, 170 adjacent the top portion162, and a second narrower lateral bag width (e.g., diameter) WBextending between the opposing faces 168, 170 adjacent the bottomportion 164. The support elements 160 are distributed longitudinallybetween the top portion 162 and the closed bottom portion 164, with thethird support element 160 c longitudinally spaced from the bottomportion 164 by a spacing distance L1, adjacent second and third supportelements 160 b and 160 c longitudinally spaced by a spacing distance L2,and adjacent first and second support elements 160 a and 160 blongitudinally spaced by a spacing distance L3. Because the bag 158 istapered, in some embodiments, L3 can be greater than L2, and L2 can begreater than L1, although in other embodiments the spacing distancesL1-L3 are substantially identical.

In general, the respective spacing distances L1-L3 is not greater thanthe minimum lateral bag width or diameter in a corresponding region ofthe bag 158. For example, relative to region defined between the bottomportion 164 and the third support element 160 c, the second lateral bagwidth WB represents the minimum lateral bag width in that region, withthe spacing distance L1 thus being less than or equal to the minimumlateral bag width WB. With this longitudinal positioning, the thirdsupport element 160 c will prevent the bag 158 from laterally collapsingon to itself (e.g., the opposing forces 168, 170 are prevented fromcontacting one another at a longitudinal center line of the bag 158) inthe region between the bottom portion 164 and the third support element160 c.

Because the bag 158 is tapered (e.g., expanding in diameter from bottomto top), the minimum lateral bag width relative to the region betweenthe third support element 160 c and the second support element 160 b isgreater than that associated with the region between the bottom portion164 and the third support element 160 c, and instead approximates thelateral bag width or diameter defined by the third support element 160c. In this case, the spacing distance L2 is less than or equal to thelateral dimension (e.g., diameter or width) of the third support element160 c. In other words, due to the taper in the bag 158, L2 can beslightly greater than L1. A similar relationship can exist for thespacing distance L3 between the first and second support elements 160 a,160 b; namely, the spacing distance L3 is less than or equal to theminimum bag width in the corresponding region, with this minimum widthbeing defined by the second support element 160 b. Thus, the spacingdistance L3 is less than or equal to the transverse dimension (width ordiameter) of the second support element 160 b. That is to say, for thetapered bag 158, the adjacent second and third support elements 160 band 160 c can be longitudinally closer together than the adjacent firstand second support elements 160 a and 160 b.

As noted above, for low volume liners 108 having an overall length thatis short relative to width, one support element 160 located between thetop portion 162 and the closed bottom portion 164 can be sufficient tolimit the lateral collapse of the liner 108 to an amount that is notgreater than the bag width in the region of collapse.

In this manner, when the bag 158 collapses laterally, the opposing faces168, 170 collapse inwardly toward one another in regions apart from thesupport element(s) 160. Simultaneously, adjacent ones of the supportelements 160 are longitudinally drawn toward one another (e.g., as thebag 158 collapses, the third support element 160 c is longitudinallydrawn toward the second support element 160 b). Thus, the bag 158collapses longitudinally and laterally, but a lateral collapse within agiven region is constrained such that the opposing faces 168, 170 do notcontact one another. The support elements 160 thus inhibit lateralcollapse of the bag 158 while permitting longitudinal collapse of thebag 158.

The support elements 160 are, in general, formed of a polyolefin, andare substantially similar in composition to the support elements 60(FIG. 2) described above. For example, in one embodiment the supportelements 160 are formed of ethylene methyl acrylate, although othersuitable materials for forming the support elements 160 are alsoacceptable.

The support elements 160 a-160 c are illustrated in FIG. 7 as beingconnected to an interior surface 172 of the bag 158, although otherembodiments provide for the support elements 160 a-160 c to be connectedto an exterior surface of the bag 158. In general, the support elements160 a-160 c have a similar configuration. The following description isrelated to the second support element 160 b, although it is to beunderstood that the description applies equally to the first and thirdsupport elements 160 a, 160 c.

The second support element 160 b defines a height H2 and a thickness R2.In one embodiment, the second support element 160 b is thinner in heightH2 than it is in thickness R2. The relatively thinner height dimensionH2 allows for compact collapse of the liner 108, and the generallythicker thickness R2 provides lateral stiffness and a resistance to thelateral collapse of the second support element 160 b.

FIG. 8A illustrates components of a medical waste disposal system 200according to principles of the present invention. Waste disposal system200 includes a suction pump system 202 including a suction line 204, anda platform 206 that is sized to retain the medical fluid collectionsystem 20. In one embodiment, a housing 208 of the suction pump system202 is mounted to a wall 210 that is provided with a water source and adrain (neither shown). The water source provides a flow of water, forexample tap water, and the flowing water creates suction by theBernoulli principle that enables the suction line 204 to suctioncontents from the collapsible liner 28 into the drain within the wall210.

During waste disposal, medical waste fluid 212 contained within thecollapsible liner 28 is pumped out of the liner 28 by the suction line204, and the liner 28 is collapsed under the suction force of thesuction pump system 202. In this regard, the medical waste fluid 212 isshown for illustrative purposes spaced slightly away from the lid 26,although it is to be understood that in actual practice the medicalwaste fluid 212 would be “at” the lid 26 as the fluid 212 is drawn intothe discharge port 54.

In one example of medical waste disposal, the medical fluid collectionsystem 20 is placed on the platform 206 and a connector 207 of thesuction line 204 is connected to an opened discharge port 54 (asillustrated). In this regard, other ports that communicate with aninterior of the liner 28, such as the patient tubing port 56 and thefirst vacuum source port 50,are closed to prevent bypass of the suctioninitiated by the suction pump system 202. During disposal of the medicalwaste fluid 212 from the liner 28, the second vacuum source port 52(otherwise fluidly connected to the space between the canister 22 andthe liner 28) is vented to atmosphere so that the space between theliner 28 and the canister 22 can fill with atmospheric air as the liner28/bag 58 collapses.

The connector 207 is sealed or otherwise attached to the discharge port54. The vacuum source of the suction pump system 202 is activated, andthe suction through the suction line 204 evacuates the medical wastefluid 212 from the collapsible liner 28. Other vacuum sources suited forevacuating the liner 28 are also acceptable and within the scope of thisapplication. In any regard, suction from the suction line 204 collapsesthe liner 28, which elevates the medical waste liquid 212 within theliner 28 toward the lid 26, enabling the suction liner 204 to expel themedical waste liquid 212 from the liner 28.

In particular, the suction through the suction line 204 causes the bag58 to collapse laterally inward toward the center line of the liner 28.The support elements 60 are located to prevent contact of the opposingfaces 68, 70 during longitudinal collapse of the liner 28. In otherwords, the support elements 60 limit the lateral collapse of the liner28, and permit a longitudinal collapse of the liner 28 such that thebottom portion 64 is drawn towards the lid 26, thus expelling themedical waste fluid 212 out of the suction line 204. In this regard, thesupport element 60 d has been longitudinally displaced toward thesupport element 60 c such that the liner 28 is partially longitudinallycollapsed. Additional subsequent suction through the suction line 204will continue to evacuate the medical waste 212 and furtherlongitudinally collapse the liner 28.

FIG. 8B illustrates the disposable liner assembly 24 in a collapsedstate. The liner 28 has been longitudinally collapsed with the bottomportion 64 (FIG. 8A) drawn into the liner assembly 24 (and out of view),and substantially all of the medical waste fluid 212 (FIG. 8A) has beenremoved from the bag 58. In one embodiment, the liner assembly 24 iscollapsed to a maximum extent such that the support element 60 a islongitudinally displaced upward (relative to the orientation of FIG. 8B)and contacts the lid 26. However, for ease of illustration, the linerassembly 24 is shown in a collapsed state in which the support element60 a has been longitudinally displaced upward to a position adjacent tothe lid 26.

With this in mind, and relative to FIG. 8B, the support element 60 d hasbeen displaced and longitudinally drawn up toward the support element 60c, and the support element 60 c has been displaced and longitudinallydrawn up toward the support element 60 b, and the support element 60 bhas been displaced and longitudinally drawn up toward the supportelement 60 a, and the support element 60 a has been displaced andlongitudinally drawn up toward the lid 26, with compacted segments ofthe bag 58 gathered in a central region of the liner 28 and gatheredbetween support element 60 a-66 d. In this manner, an internal volume ofthe liner 28 is minimized, which minimizes a volume of the linerassembly 24 that is ultimately disposed of.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may besubstituted for the specific embodiments shown and described withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. This application isintended to cover any adaptations or variations of collapsible linerbags, liner assemblies, and/or medical fluid collection systemsdiscussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention belimited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1. A collapsible medical fluid waste collection liner for use in acanister of a medical fluid collection system, the liner comprising: aflexible film bag extending longitudinally between a top portionopposite a closed bottom portion and defining an interior; and at leastone support element connected to the bag at a location longitudinallyspaced from the top portion and disposed generally laterally relative toa length of the bag; wherein the liner is configured such that when theinterior is subjected to a vacuum, the at least one support elementlimits an extent of lateral collapse of the bag while permittinglongitudinal collapse.
 2. The liner of claim 1, wherein a flexibility ofthe bag is greater than a flexibility of the at least one supportelement.
 3. The liner of claim 1, wherein the at least one supportelement prevents the bag from laterally collapsing onto itself at alongitudinal center line of the bag when the interior is subjected to avacuum to prevent occlusion of fluid flow along a longitudinal directionof the bag.
 4. The liner of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality ofsupport elements disposed laterally relative to the length of the bagand discretely positioned longitudinally between the top portion and thebottom portion of the bag.
 5. The liner of claim 4, wherein theplurality of support elements includes first and second support elementsassociated with the bag to define a bag region between the first andsecond support elements, and further wherein when the interior issubjected to a vacuum, the bag region experiences lateral andlongitudinal collapse, with first and second support elements inhibitingan extent of the lateral collapse of the bag region.
 6. The liner ofclaim 4, wherein in longitudinal cross-section, the bag defines opposingfaces separated by a lateral bag width, and further wherein a spacingdistance between adjacent support elements is not greater than the bagwidth.
 7. The liner of claim 4, wherein in longitudinal cross-section,the bag defines opposing faces that taper from a wide end adjacent tothe top portion to a narrow end adjacent to the bottom portion, thefaces between each pair of adjacent support elements defining acorresponding minimum bag width, and further wherein a spacing distancebetween adjacent support elements is not greater than the correspondingminimum bag width.
 8. The liner of claim 4, wherein the plurality ofsupport elements includes a first support element positioned adjacentthe bottom portion and a second support element positioned adjacent thefirst support element opposite the bottom portion, and further whereinlongitudinal locations of the first and second support elements relativeto the bag are indicative of standard volumes.
 9. The liner of claim 8,wherein the first support element is longitudinally located relative tothe bag to reflect a filled volume between the first support element andthe bottom portion of a first standard volumetric value, and the secondsupport element is longitudinally located relative to the bag to reflecta filled volume between the second support element and the bottomportion of a second standard volumetric value, wherein the secondstandardized value is two times the first standardized value.
 10. Theliner of claim 9, wherein the first standard volumetric value is 1 literand the second standard volumetric value is 2 liters.
 11. The liner ofclaim 8, wherein a color of the first support element is different froma color of the second support element.
 12. The liner of claim 1, whereinthe at least one support element is a rigid annular plastic band coupledto an inside perimeter of the bag.
 13. The liner of claim 12, whereinthe annular plastic band defines a height and a thickness, the heightbeing less than the thickness.
 14. The liner of claim 1, wherein the atleast one support element is integrally formed as a portion of theflexible bag.
 15. A medical fluid waste collection liner assembly foruse with a medical fluid collection canister comprising: a lidconfigured to be removably attachable to the canister; and a linercoupled to the lid, the liner including: a flexible film bag extendinglongitudinally between a top portion and a closed bottom portion anddefining an interior, at least one support element apart from the lidand connected to a segment of the bag; wherein when the interior issubjected to a vacuum, the bag longitudinally collapses and the segmentof the bag coupled to the at least one support element does notlaterally collapse.
 16. The liner assembly of claim 15, wherein the atleast one support element is a rigid annular plastic band that defines aheight and a thickness, the height being less than the thickness. 17.The liner assembly of claim 15, wherein the at least one support elementis coupled to an interior surface of the bag between the top and bottomportions.
 18. The liner assembly of claim 15, wherein the liner includesa plurality of support elements discretely arranged along the bagbetween the top and bottom portions, each of the support elements beingseparated from an adjacent support element by a spacing distance. 19.The liner assembly of claim 18, wherein in longitudinal cross-section,the bag defines opposing faces separated by a lateral bag width, andfurther wherein the spacing distance between at least one pair ofadjacent support elements is not greater than the lateral bag width. 20.The liner assembly of claim 15, wherein the lid defines a vacuum portconfigured to facilitate formation of a vacuum within the bag interior.21. A medical fluid collection system comprising: a canister defining anopen end; and a liner assembly including: a lid removably attachable tothe open end of the canister, a collapsible liner dimensioned forplacement within the canister, the liner including: a flexible film bagextending longitudinally between a top portion coupled to the lid and aclosed bottom portion and defining an interior, at least one supportelement apart from the lid and disposed generally laterally relative tothe flexible bag; wherein when the interior is subjected to a vacuum,the at least one support element constrains a lateral collapse of thebag.
 22. The medical fluid collection system of claim 21, wherein the atleast one support element is connected to a segment of the flexible bagsuch that the segment is not laterally collapsible when the interior issubjected to a vacuum.
 23. The medical fluid collection system of claim21, wherein liner includes a plurality of support elements connected tothe flexible bag in a discretely spaced fashion.
 24. The medical fluidcollection system of claim 23, wherein in longitudinal cross-section,the flexible bag defines opposing faces separated by a lateral bagwidth, and further wherein a longitudinal spacing distance between atleast two adjacent support elements is not greater than the bag width.